Weekend getaway

For the first time in 9 years (since Emma was born), Pieter and I spent a weekend away. Emma stayed with Michiel, Janne with Oma and Boelie at a dog-pension. The guineapigs were taken care of by our neighbours' daughter. Even though the girls are usually easy going , it was SO relaxing to spend a weekend, just the two of us! We stayed at Landgoed Avegoor, a former summer house of the Dutch Royal family, now turned into an art hotel. Nice rooms, great food and close to National Park de Hoge Veluwe, the Kröller-Müller Museum and the former Hanseatic City of Zutphen.

Winter has arrived

Last night, temperatures went down to as low as -20°C, quite cold for the Netherlands these days. Last time it was this cold, was over 25 years ago, they say. The snow that fell yesterday is still there and the roads are slippery. But, walking through the woods at 8 am with Boelie is just wonderful!
Riding my bike home from work on Friday was a bit less wonderful, but I do prefer this over rainy weather :-) Even if it makes me look like this!

Happy New Year!

With some delay, but here's the X-Mas and New Years card I made this year. Inside was a small picture of Boelie.

Another Christmas dinner table

This year, our Christmas dinner table was a bit more traditional then the years before, when it was lilac. This year is was green and as usual, mom was pretty happy with the result and proud to share :-)
Traditional in green
In more detail

PointWood performing

Last Saturday, Pieter had a performance with PointWood, the big band he is playing in since a few months. They played three sessions, including Christmas and typical big band songs.
PointWood performing Big Spender. Vocals by Meryl Foreman.

Emma 9 years old!

Today, Emma turned 9; happy birthday, dearest Emma! Even though it was a school day, Emma had breakfast in bed and gifts at the breakfast table. She said the breakfast made her day :-)

Three seconds after we turned on the light and barely awake

Fully awake, enjoying her breakfast in bed moment

Unwrapping her gifts, with her birthday-treats-tree at her side

VVV fans spotted

Pieter and his brother Gerben have seasonal ticket to their hometown soccer club, VVV Venlo. A few weeks ago, they were spotted along the line by television camera's and they had their 15 minutes of fame! Actually, more like 15 seconds, but still ...

You can see the two brothers 19.30 minutes into the broadcast.
Commentary in Dutch: Outside the field, people were feasting, on the field a bit less so ... (VVV played a lousy game, they lost 2-1)